Ventricular Arrhythmias in the Child with a Structurally Normal Heart

Scott Weinreb; Akash Patel

doi:10.1016/j.ccep.2025.07.004

Ventricular Arrhythmias in the Child with a Structurally Normal Heart

Card Electrophysiol Clin. 2025 Dec;17(4):531-543. doi: 10.1016/j.ccep.2025.07.004. Epub 2025 Sep 15.

Authors

Scott Weinreb¹, Akash Patel²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Heart Center, Children's Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 1935 Medical District Drive, Dallas, TX 75235, USA. Electronic address: scott.weinreb@utsouthwestern.edu.
² Division of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Medicine, Children's Institute Department of Heart, Vascular & Thoracic, Cleveland Clinic Children's, Cleveland, OH, USA.

PMID: 41206169
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccep.2025.07.004

Abstract

This article outlines the evaluation and management of ventricular arrhythmias in children with structurally normal hearts. It covers the range of arrhythmias from premature ventricular contractions to idiopathic ventricular tachycardias to ventricular fibrillation. Most ventricular arrhythmias are benign, but some carry risks of sudden death. A structured approach is essential to guide diagnosis and treatment. Management is based on symptoms, arrhythmia type, arrhythmia burden, risk, and impact on cardiac function and includes observation, medication, ablation, or implantable defibrillators as potential strategies.

Keywords: Accelerated idioventricular rhythm; Pediatrics; Premature ventricular contractions; Ventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Arrhythmias, Cardiac* / diagnosis
Arrhythmias, Cardiac* / physiopathology
Arrhythmias, Cardiac* / therapy
Child
Electrocardiography
Humans
Tachycardia, Ventricular* / diagnosis
Tachycardia, Ventricular* / physiopathology
Tachycardia, Ventricular* / therapy
Ventricular Fibrillation / therapy
Ventricular Premature Complexes / therapy